Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by her service-connected left and right knee conditions, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error involving the VA examination reports and a private DBQ.

The Board denied effective dates prior to June 16, 2021 for various service connection claims and increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, as well as SMC due to housebound status, were denied. However, the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was granted on May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, was found to be productive of reduced reliability and productivity prior to March 13, 2018. From March 13, 2018, the disorder caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted service connection, but the right elbow condition remains in dispute and needs further review.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, considering both mental and physical impacts.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 19, 2019, for service connection of his acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is denied. The Board also remanded the cases for further action on special monthly compensation based on housebound status and TDIU.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

Anxiety and depression are now rated at 70 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Tinea versicolor remains rated at 30 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Headaches or migraines are now rated at 50 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Residuals of TBI are now rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2018.,Orthostatic hypotension is now rated at 30 percent effective October 8, 2018.

The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder, are currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a clear link between these conditions and service, necessitating further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder/depression, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 12, 2016. She is also receiving special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status since that date.,The appeal for TDIU prior to October 12, 2016, has been referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of all psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities and depressive disorder with neurocognitive disorder. The higher SMC rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r) remains pending as its application is unclear.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg varicose veins, generalized anxiety disorder (previously claimed as anxiety/depression), and lumbosacral strain with effective dates of June 29, 2020.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective dates have been granted, with the awards of lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, nephrolithiasis, and major depressive disorder being effective September 15, 2017. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied.